twenty

Sela had wanted to marry Evan quickly without having to wait weeks and especially not months. But she also wanted her family there with her to experience the wedding, to witness her marriage vows.

Coordinating her wedding with a day and time both her sisters and their husbands could attend had pushed her wedding date out three months. Add to that, Evan’s father had relinquished control of his company, giving it to Evan and stepping down to put all his energy into his legal battles—both for the gold and for his not completely aboveboard financial ventures with the loan sharks.

Because of his added responsibilities at Blackwood, Evan hadn’t been able to spend the time with her that either of them wanted; many of those responsibilities often had him traveling. Once they shared the same home, some of their time apart would be alleviated. Filled with expectation, she smiled at the thought.

At least the delay in the wedding had given her time to plan for a beautiful, though conservative, small wedding and to create a special guitar just for Evan.

As a wedding present to Sela, Evan was preparing a “surprise” as well, though she knew what it was and had given him permission to surprise her in the details. He was building them a house—nothing extravagant or too big but a small country cottage in a more secluded part of her three hundred acres.

In the end, Evan had decided to scale back his father’s vision for the Smith River development, putting several acres’ distance between the boundaries of that property and Sela’s property. Sela still considered whether to sell her gift shop.

A rush job at best, the small home he hoped to finish in time for their wedding would serve as a starter home. If and when they began having children, they would build in town, closer to where Evan planned to have his office and to the public schools—should they decide not to homeschool. Their country cottage would then serve as a weekend getaway.

Today was the day. By evening, she would be Mrs. Evan Black. Then she and Evan would spend the night in their new house and honeymoon in Florence, Italy. Sela had never been out of the country before. Her life had changed drastically from the moment Evan stepped through the mist to meet her, and so far, the adventure was almost surreal.

Staring in the mirror to put in the last pearl earring, her hands shook, making the task difficult. Her nerves were getting the best of her.

“You’re the loveliest bride I’ve ever seen, dear,” Clara stepped behind her, smiling at her in the mirror.

Sela hadn’t heard Clara come into the small guest bedroom where she’d been living since her house had been demolished by treasure hunters. All she had to do was walk outside into the backyard where Clara’s husband had built a beautiful, ornate gazebo. Pastor Jacob had agreed to conduct the ceremony in the gazebo, surrounded by nature.

Sela turned and ran her hands down the dress. “You don’t think this is too much since this is my second time to get married?”

“Oh, piffle-wiffin. Alexa was right to talk you into it. The dress is perfect for you.”

Turning around, she gazed into the mirror again and looked at the dress for the hundredth time. “I’m certainly not as slender as I was the first time I married,” she said, a shard of insecurity over her more womanly figure creeping in.

“No one ever is,” Clara said, laughing. “But you’re still a beautiful bride.”

The off-white chiffon, empire-style dress was sleeveless with one bare shoulder. The back laced up. “I’ve never seen a dress like this. I’m glad she convinced me to splurge, to live a little. By the way, where is she? And Camille, for that matter?”

“I saw them both giving instructions to their husbands about the littles. I’ll go get them.”

Sela adored Clara’s term for children. “No, don’t disturb them.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. This is your day. I’m sure they’ll be along soon, but I’ll see what’s keeping them.”

Before Clara made it to the door, Alexa stepped through, followed by Camille. Their faces beamed as they rushed to Sela and gushed over her dress. Camille was already wearing her elegant teal dress. And poor Alexa, she looked miserable—her pregnancy stressing the seams of her own dress.

Sela smiled and pressed her hand over Alexa’s round belly. “You’re not going to have the baby at my wedding, are you?”

Alexa frowned. “And steal the show? I wouldn’t dream of it.” She rolled her eyes and waddled over to a sofa where she lowered herself down.

Camille gave Sela a smile laced with concern. “She’s had a few pangs already,” she whispered.

“Clara!” Sela called a little too loudly, forgetting that Clara was still in the room.

“See if Pastor Jacob is here and ready. Let’s start the wed-ding now.”

“But you still have fifteen minutes to go.” Clara followed Sela’s gaze to Alexa, whose face said everything. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Clara hurried from the room.

“Some help over here, please?” Alexa was trying to push from the sofa.

Camille and Sela rushed to her side and assisted her up. Sela shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Alexa. Having the wedding this close to your due date really wasn’t a good idea.”

“It’s not your fault. I’m just glad you were willing to wait for us to all be together. Now, pray this baby—whatever it’s going to be—will come when it’s supposed to.”

“Does Graeme know?” Camille pursed her lips.

Alexa shook her head. “He would have a fit, considering he delivered Ricky. I can assure you he doesn’t want a repeat.”

“I wonder if you’re going to be one of those women who delivers quickly every time,” Camille said then frowned.

Sela guessed she realized that wasn’t exactly what Alexa wanted to hear at the moment.

Clara stepped into the room. “Okay, we’re ready. It’s just a small wedding anyway, so we’re all here. And Sela, your Evan is one handsome man. If I were a younger woman, you might have a fight on your hands.”

Had Sela just seen Clara’s face turn red? “I’m glad we won’t be fighting, then, Clara.” Sela gave a nervous laugh. Not because of Clara, but because she was about to get married.

The room swayed.

“You okay?” Camille grabbed her arm, steadying her. “I don’t need both my sisters down and out today.”

“No, I’m fine. It’s nerves, that’s all.” Sela smiled at her sisters and held her arms out. “Shall we?”

When Sela saw Evan standing at the steps of the gazebo dressed in his tuxedo, she understood why Clara had made her comment. Sela’s heart raced at the sight of him, and she hoped he felt the same about her.

The wedding march toward him went by in a blur. The next thing she knew, he held her hand and together they stepped into the gazebo to face Pastor Jacob. Sela repeated the wedding vows as did Evan, but her mind could hardly wrap around the actual words as her heart soaked up the love from his eyes.

Evan placed the ring—the amazing, gorgeous ring he’d surprised her with—on her finger, and finally Pastor Jacob gave Evan permission to kiss his bride.

He leaned in close enough to kiss her but teased her instead, his musky scent wrapping around her.

The scoundrel! Sela pressed forward and kissed him instead.

Sela pulled herself free from the kiss, and Evan’s grin spread wide.

“May I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Evan Black.”

Together, she and Evan faced the small gathering of smiling faces, a few clapping, except for one. Alexa bent over and groaned, gripping Graeme’s shoulder so hard he grimaced in pain.

Evan’s face showed his shock. Sela squeezed his hand. “Looks like we’re getting a niece or a nephew before the night is over.”

Graeme grabbed Alexa to guide her to their minivan. “No, Graeme. The baby. Is. Coming. Now. You’re delivering this baby, too.”

And Graeme passed out.

❧

Exhausted and yet exhilarated, Sela allowed Evan to guide her up the cobblestone path he’d created leading to their new home’s entrance.

The wedding reception that was to take place after the wedding had been postponed in lieu of visiting Alexa in the hospital with her new little boy, Grady. After sharing congratulations, Evan and Sela left the celebration for some-place more private.

The secluded house Evan had built for them in the redwoods.

Cedar shingles and stone accented the quaint French country cottage. “Evan, it’s just. . .there are no words. I love it.”

He smiled, pleased that she was happy. She loved seeing her man in love.

“And I love you,” he said, teasing her with a half kiss.

Evan lifted her in his arms, and Sela giggled, the joy over-flowing. Single-handedly, he opened the door and carried her over the threshold then set her on her feet.

Sela didn’t want anything to take her attention from Evan, but she knew he would want to see her reaction to the home he built for them. She took in the spacious living area with its rock fireplace and wood floors and staircase, her breath in her throat.

“Thank you, Evan.” Sela tugged him close and pressed her face near his then whispered against his grinning mouth. “And I have a gift for you, too.”

He laughed, his breath fanning her lips. “Where is it?”

“Camille was supposed to hide it in the closet upstairs for me,” Sela said.

“Ah, that’s why she wanted the keys. She said she had a surprise for you,” he said.

Sela took her new husband’s hand and led him up the gorgeous staircase. It was difficult to appreciate the house with her new husband looking at her like that.

In the bedroom, Sela gasped at the detail. Evan had worked so hard to make her happy. She hoped he would be as pleased with her gift and slipped over to the closet. She opened the closet door, and after admiring the size, she immediately spotted her gift.

Sela tugged the guitar out of the case and stepped from the closet to see Evan sitting on the bed, impatience and longing in his eyes. But when he saw the guitar, a frown flitted across his face before he hid it with a smile.

Her heart stumbled forward. “This is my last guitar, Evan. I made it for you so that you could serenade me again.”

He stood, took the guitar from her, and slid his hands over the wood, appreciation in his gaze. Then he positioned the guitar in his arms, strummed a few chords, and picked at the strings.

“It’s a perfect fit for my style, Sela.” In one fluid motion he set aside the guitar and drew Sela into his arms, admiration spilling from his eyes. “Just like you’re a perfect fit. It’s beautiful, Sela. I love it. And I love you. You’re sophistication, wisdom, youth, and beauty all wrapped into one woman who fits me perfectly. What more could a man want?” His mischievous grin nearly did her in, then.

Sela knew his mind was as far from the guitar as hers was from her new house.

❧

The next morning, Evan loaded their luggage into the back of his Tahoe. They were headed to Italy for their honeymoon, but honestly, Evan would have been happy spending their honeymoon here.

He drew in a breath of fresh woodsy air and tilted his head to hear the river flowing in the distance. Of course, Italy will be nice, too, if it means he’s with Sela. He only needed to grab one more thing, then they would head to the airport.

His wife.

“Sela,” he called and jogged back into the house. “Are you ready to go? We’re going to be late.”

Evan thrust his hands in his pockets and admired his handiwork. They would be happy in this house until they started having babies. His heart jumped at the thought.

What was keeping Sela? Something on the counter drew his attention, and he strolled over.

Sela had scrawled a message for him on a sheet of paper.

Evan, meet me at the river, Sela.

What surprise did she have for him now? Odd. But even stranger was Evan’s growing sense of unease. He hurried out the back of the house and down the hill overlooking the Smith River.

“Sela!” He scanned the surrounding area but didn’t see her.

Impatience and concern burned in his gut as he marched down the hill, trying to shove it all away. He didn’t want to ruin their day with a bad attitude, but they were already running behind as it was.

“Sel—”

“No need to shout. She’s right here.” The familiar, dreaded voice snaked down Evan’s back.

Griggs!

He whirled around, fear squeezing his throat. Griggs held Sela in a tight grip.

Her eyes grew wide. “Oh, Evan. . .”

“What do you want, Griggs? There’s no more gold for you. Why did you come back?”

“Because you and I never had our chance to have it out. I missed the promised entertainment when we got the gold. A chance to go through you to get to her.”

The man was insane, no doubt there.

Evan shrugged off his jacket. “All right then, let her go and take your chances with me.”

“Evan, no,” Sela pleaded.

“That’s not how it works. When I’m done with you, then I’ll have a go at her.”

Those were fighting words, and Evan appreciated them—the man had just ignited his rage. “You’re forgetting something. You have to actually go through me first.”

Griggs threw Sela aside as Evan plowed into him. The force threw them both off balance and sent them rolling together down the hill toward the river. Somewhere Sela screamed.

Pain exploded in Evan’s head, but somehow he dragged to his feet. If he didn’t win, they would both die. Griggs’s huge fist came at him. Evan dodged and thrust a blow to Griggs’s ribs. The punch didn’t faze him.

Evan’s only hope would be to get him in the river and hope it washed the man away. He couldn’t win in hand-to-hand combat. He threw himself into Griggs again, but they only stumbled backward. Griggs tripped on a rock and fell, Evan alongside him.

Out of nowhere, Sela straddled Griggs.

“No, Sela, stay back!” Evan thought she’d gone to call the police by now.

She dropped a huge stone into Griggs’s gut and privates. “Not again,” he groaned and rolled to his side then somehow managed to stand.

Sela dove into him and pushed him backward.

He fell into the river. But Sela went with him.

“No!” Evan jumped to his feet, ignoring his aching, bruised body. “Sela!”

He ran along the bank of the river, watching the current sweep her and Griggs away. Hadn’t that been his plan? Had she known what he was thinking?

“What’s happened here?” Deputy Hayward was behind Evan now, pacing with him.

“Sela and Griggs are in the river,” Evan said. “I have to get her out. Did she call you?”

“No, I heard Griggs was in the area and thought to check in on you.”

Griggs washed up on the other side and crawled out.

“Freeze, Griggs!” the deputy shouted.

The criminal started to run, but he didn’t get far before other deputies surrounded him. They’d already been searching the area.

“Oh, Lord, please save her. Bring her back to me,” he prayed, running alongside the river.

The current swelled and then slowed, and Evan ran ahead of Sela in the river and then jumped in. The water was calmer, and Sela swam toward him. Together they made their way to the shallow water edging the river’s banks. Evan swept her dripping and exhausted body up in his arms.

He kissed her chilled lips. “This wasn’t the way I wanted to start our honeymoon, or our life together, for that matter.”

“Think about it. I don’t have to worry about Griggs ever again. And this way, I was able to save you.”

Evan grinned. “I think we’re going to make beautiful music together, Mrs. Black.”